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Fred Polnisch has been wearing the colorful Uncle Sam suit for more than 20 years and as a PTA parent said,"He's a real-life historical figure standing there, telling them what happened. He is history come to life, and the kids love it." A school principal said, "It gets them thinking about where and how it all began."

His presentation “Our Star Spangled Uncle Sam”brings American history to life in story and song by carrying the audience along on Paul Revere’s ride in 1775, to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, our flag, the win over the British, the U.S. Constitution, the first four Presidents, the War of 1812 and Uncle Sam Wilson, and then to the deck of the ship where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner.

Polnisch has performed at hundreds of school and civic events - charging a small fee - as far away as Guam, Saipan, Texas and California. Still, most of his shows are for children in the New York school districts. He even offers a 32-page book that he wrote in 2000. The book “Uncle Sam, My Story” is based on the presentation “Our Star Spangled Uncle Sam” and was written for the elementary school student.

Uncle Sam performs with the Uncle Sam Chorus in numerous parades: the Fall Festival Parade in North Adams, Mass; the Uncle Sam Birthday Parade, Troy (Lansingburgh), NY; the Independence Day Parade, Pittsfield, Mass; the Flag Day Parades in Troy, NY & Saratoga Springs, NY; and in the Memorial Day Parades in Waterford, Cohoes, Stillwater, Rensselaer, Hoosick Falls and North Greenbush, New York.